I'm sorry this story hasn't been 100% about Riley Grace O'Connor or the Baker family, but I need drama from the other characters as well, it wouldn't be Tree Hill if I had it centered on one family.
Chapter 23
Austin dribbles the ball down the court. The net is close enough that he could possibly take a shot. Considering his shooting skills, he's more than likely to make the basket. Austin lobs the ball over to Jamie who takes a shot. The leather ball swishes into the net with grace.
Jamie high-fives Austin, they only have one more basket to make before winning completely. Andre and Chuck are annoyed with their friends for not going any easier on them.
Chuck wipes the sweat from his forehead. "When's this stupid game gonna be over?" he demanded sulking.
"Umm…" Austin tosses the ball to Jamie who quickly tosses it into the hoop. "Right now, see it's over."
Andre glances up as several cars pull into the River Court. "Oh, there's my Mom. Does anyone need a ride home?" he asked yawning tiredly.
Chuck nods, he and Chase got into a bit of a disagreement a few hours ago about Alex and Mia. After he got a text from Jamie, he took off for the court. Chuck follows Andre to his mother's car. Normally, Austin would have taken the game winning shot.
"You okay?" Jamie asked; his green eyes becoming contort with worry and apprehensiveness.
Austin swallows hard, glancing past his cousin and at his foster father who's walking towards them with his uncle. "J-Luke, I need to talk to you cousin alone" the uncle stated breathing in deeply.
Jamie looks extremely hesitant, he likes Austin Teague. After you get past the forever in trouble, persona. "Come on, Jimmy-Jam, let's go home" Nathan encouraged wrapping an arm his son and directing him towards the vehicle.
Lucas glances at his foster son with mild concern. He honestly doesn't know how he and Austin will get past this. Austin winces, scooting farther from his foster father. Lucas never thought he'd be the kind of father Dan was.
"Buddy, we need to talk" the father announced watching his brother and godson leave the court.
Austin looks away from his foster parent. He's still hurt by the fact that Lucas spanked him, in front of Sawyer no less. "I'm not talking to you" he murmured pouting.
"Fine, you can listen then" Lucas clears his throat. "I'm sorry for how I've been acting lately…I haven't been good to you and I'm not going to justify myself with a stupid excuse. From now on, things are going to be different. I'm going to try to be better."
Austin's eyes flicker over at him; listening. "Are you mad at me? For what happened with Karen and Andy" the boy asked curiously.
"No, I could never be mad at you. What happened wasn't your fault, A-Man; sometimes bad things happen for no reason. We can't blame ourselves for them."
"Do you blame me?" Austin asked weakly.
Lucas gently ruffles the boy's light locks. "No, Buddy, I don't blame you at all. I blame…blamed my self" the father answered wanting to start anew honest relationship with his son.
Austin asked blinking nervously, "You did? Why?"
"I don't know, I was just…I miss them. Growing up, my Mom was a rock; she could handle anything. Probably the bravest person, I ever met and when someone you love, leaves; it feels like your broken, but it just took awhile for me to get fixed" Lucas explained quietly.
"Are you fixed now?" the fourth grader wondered his eyes cast towards the cement ground.
"I'm trying my best to be" Austin nods, looking down. "Buddy, I love you and I'm sorry for what I did."
Austin purses his lips together; Lucas isn't perfect, nobody is. People make mistakes; at least they didn't ditch him like Pops did. At least he's trying to make amends. He's trying…that's more than he can say for the majority of people in his life.
"It's okay, I forgive you" Austin said offering his foster parent a sincere smile.
Lucas said, "When I was a kid, me and my Uncle Keith used to come here and talk all the time. Keith was…he was the best man I knew."
"Where's your Uncle now?" the boy asked glancing at the foster parent in wonderment.
"Dead, he raised me to be who I am now" Austin nods, wanting to hear more about this Keith character. "Keith was a great mechanic, he would've loved you" Lucas stated proudly.
"Really?" Austin sounds extremely hopeful.
"Of course, you two would've been great friends. Come on, Peyton's got dinner waiting and we never leave your Momma waiting" Austin grins slightly at his father's words.
Riley jumps onto her foster parent's bed. Her expression is one of complete and utter boredom. "You mess up my bed, you'll be remaking it" Brooke warned only half-seriously.
"Brooke, I don't need a babysitter" Rye complained groaning, she never needed a babysitter when she lived with Grams.
Brooke grins and raises an eyebrow at her. "Sweetheart, I'm not leaving you and the boys' home alone" the mother gives the child's cheek a gentle pat. "Who would watch you?" she laughed nervously.
"I can take care of myself" the child pouted; when Grams went out on dates, she let Riley stay home alone.
In fact, Riley remembers Grams never enforcing rules or other bogus things on her. The only thing she ever hoped was for Riley to never end up like her mother. Apparently, the thought of her daughter abandoning her child for drugs caused Grams to disown her.
"But, you don't need to" Brooke stated sternly. "Julian and I are your parents now. Let us take care of you" her tone sounds pleading.
Riley nods with an agreeable smile crinkling onto her face. "Am I still grounded when they're here?" she asked chewing nervously on her lower lip. After, Riley organized the files for Julian; he let her mess around with the special affects.
"Oh yeah, you are" Julian saunters into the room holding his boys on each hip. "If you behave, we'll let you off early" he added wanting to see the little girl smile.
"Really?" Riley glances hopefully at Brooke for approval.
Brooke agreed, "As long as you behave and do everything Millie and Mouth, tell you. Then tomorrow you're as free as a bee."
"I will. Come here Judey" Riley claps her hands in joy, she thought her parents were going to make her do chores for the last week of her grounding. It's a good thing, Julian's a lot easier than Brooke.
Jude holds out his hands for his big sister. Davis pouts and kicks his legs; he wants to be with Rye too. Julian hands both sons to the nine year old who struggles with the weight of her brothers. Riley skips out of the room, grinning happily.
"You do realize, she thinks I'm the easy one, don't you?" Julian smiles teasingly at his wife.
Brooke grins as she raises an eyebrow. "Huh, just wait till she's fourteen and sneaking around with boys. Who'll be the easy parent then; you or me?" the wife winked playfully her eyes dancing.
That wipes the smile from Julian's face and turns it into a sour frown, almost as though he drank a bottle of vinegar. "Don't even joke about that, wife" Julian said shuddering at the thought of Riley dating.
"Who says I'm joking, husband?" Julian purses his lips together and stares out the window. "What are you thinking about?" Brooke asked wondering if he took offence to what she said.
Julian glances over at her with a smirk. "I'm trying to find a way to stand you up, without you knowing; it's harder than I thought."
Brooke playfully slugs his shoulder, before twirling around. "Oh please, like you'd ever refuse a date with me."
Jamie gets his baby sister ready for bed. His parents are downstairs, no doubt talking about his uncle, aunt, and cousins. He heard his mother say, she wanted Austin, Sawyer, and Peyton to stay with them while Lucas cleaned up his act. Jamie wonders what it'd be like if Riley and Austin hadn't gotten fostered. Only he thinks he loves Riley, he just wished she loved him back.
If Riley hadn't come to Tree Hill, he never would've realized he loved her more than Madison. "Lyds, what am I gonna do? I like Madison, but I think I love Riley and I'm nine. I shouldn't love anyone" he said as Lydia smiles up at him.
Jamie wishes, Lydia could answer. He wishes she could give him advice as to what he oughta do. His parents' defidently should've had a kid closer to his age. It's not that he doesn't love Lyd; it's just hard to relate to a baby.
"Riley's just…she's different. I don't know what I want" Jamie sighs softly and shrugs. "I know Madison and I are really good, but maybe…maybe I don't need a girlfriend."
Millie struggles to hold little Davis; he won't quit fidgeting around like a wild monkey. Their entire night has been grueling; first Jude wouldn't eat his dinner, then he had a tantrum, and later he hid underneath the bed. And that was just Jude. It took Davis half an hour for him to quit crying about his parents leaving. He wasn't happy until they put on Land Before Time.
"Davis, hold still…please" Millie beseeched trying to get him into his pajamas.
Riley watches giggling slightly with Jude perched in her lap. She got her raven haired brother in his pajamas ten minutes ago. Davis isn't used to anyone, besides his parents getting him ready for bed. When his parents are around, Jude prefers his older sister to anyone.
"Judey, wanna play?" Riley asked grinning playfully at her baby brother.
Millie glares at her boyfriend; he's supposed to be helping her, not watching like an idiot. "Marvin, help me" she ordered as Davis kicks his legs, uncomfortably.
Davis wants his Momma and Daddy. Where are they? He starts to sob at the thought of his parents leaving forever. Riley glances at her other little brother with concern. The fourth grader hands Jude off to Mouth and helps Millie with Davis.
Mouth almost drops Jude, he awkwardly holds the little boy all the while watching Riley help his girlfriend. With Riley assistance, Davis is in his pajamas and ready for bed. The nine year old eyes the couple with uncertainly. They're defidently not old hands at his gig, more like nervous adults who haven't been around kids since they were them.
Riley offered, " I can put the boys down, if yah want."
Millie shakes her head; she has to do this. Soon she and Marvin will be doing this on their own. "Its okay we got this, Riley" she answered meanwhile struggling to hold a fidgeting Davis.
"Are you sure?" Riley looks doubtful, "Cause I don't mind reading them a story and tucking them in" she said reaching for her dark haired brother who smiles gratefuly at her.
Mouth hands Jude off to Riley. "Okay, we'll have a bowl of ice-cream ready for you" he said as Millie unsurely gives Riley the little blonde.
Riley lifts both boys onto her lap. "Alright, Dudes, what story do you wanna hear?" on that note, Mouth and Millie go downstairs feeling like complete failures as babysitters.
Twenty minutes later, Riley quietly sneaks downstairs and into the kitchen with a slight smirk. "The boys are asleep" she announced grabbing the mint chocolate chip ice cream. The nine year old quickly starts shoveling scoops of ice-cream into her mouth. Under normal circumstances, her parents would give her a bowl of fruit or something gross like veggies. She only ever gets ice-cream if she did something really good. Now that Riley thinks about it, she hasn't had ice-cream in a long time.
Millie praised, "Riley, you've really been amazing tonight. We're both really proud of you for helping us with your brothers." Riley smiles feeling her cheeks turn red with a scarlet blush.
Mouth nods, he suddenly doesn't feel quite ready for kids. "After, ice-cream, it's time for bed, though" Mouth stated causing Riley to pull a face, she doesn't wanna go to bed the same time as babies.
"Brooke and Julian lemme stay up till nine" the child said glancing at the clock and seeing it's only eight thirty.
"But aren't you grounded?" Millie asked, but she already knows the answer to the question; Brooke and Julian already told them she was.
Riley complained, "I helped you guys, though."
"Tough, after ice-cream, brush your teeth and go to bed" Mouth answered sternly causing Riley to groan. She thought these two would be easier than her parents.
Riley pouts at the thought. "Can I read in bed?" she asked pouting as the adults nod agreeably.
Alex has a gift; she can tell when any man's lying. This could be due to the fact that many men have lied to her. It started with her father saying he loved her mother. When she was fifteen, she caught him cheating; they haven't spoken since. Chase was the one guy she thought she could trust. Anger getting the best of her, Alex grabs a random guy's face and forces his mouth against hers.
"Woah there, we all know how much the ladies love Chris Keller, but at least give him a little heads up" Chris joked pulling back and cringing at the woman he just made out with.
Alex glares at him, just another Tree Hill jerk. "Chris Freaking Keller, out of all the guys in the entire world…" she trailed off reaching for a drink and taking a sip.
Chris tilts his head to the side; he thought Alex was on the sober wagon or something. "What's going on?" much to Alex's surprise, he actually sounds concerned for the pop singer's well-being.
"Chase cheated on me…with Mia."
Chris squints and stares at the drink in her hand. He's honestly worried about the young female singer. He hasn't seen or heard from Alex since her tour last year. He also read about Alex behaving like a shadow of her former self. Maybe, now that she's back in Tree Hill; she can turn things around.
"That drink isn't worth you ruining your sobriety and neither is Chase" Chris shrugged causing Alex to blink, before downing the shot with a satisfied smirk.
She thought the shot would taste better than it did, only when she drank it, it left her feeling emptier than before. Alex puts the drink down and rubs her eyes. "Why can't I ever meet a guy who ever loves me back?" she asked her voice breaking.
"Chris Keller has a similar problem. You see, Chris Keller always fall in love with girls he knows he can't have, but he loves them anyway" he commented; thinking of his first love, Haley James.
Alex feels pity for the man before her. Thinking about Chase and how he screwed her over, Alex grabs him, kissing him sharply. When they break apart; Chris stares into her lustfull green eyes knowing full well, this is a one night thing, "your place or Chris Keller's?" he asked with a crooked grin.
Brooke plays with Julian's dark hair. She's glad he let it grow out, it looks sexier that way. Brooke is defidently craving some alone time with her husband. They haven't had sex in almost two months and she really wants it…him. It's crazy how much Brooke is craving to have sex. Now that the boys are getting closer to going to pre-school, she and Julian need some alone time. Maybe this trip will do them some good, it'd be amazing to have a few moments to themselves.
"I think we need to get away for awhile" Brooke murmured lovingly as she nibbles on his ear.
Julian groans with pleasure. He really wants this; he and Brooke need this more than anything. "Where should we go?" her husband asked with genuine curiosity.
Brooke thinks about it; they should go someplace tropical. "I've always wanted to go to Hawaii" she mused thoughtfully with a smile crinkling onto her face.
"Who'd watch the kids?" Julian wondered wishing they could take a quick trip, but they have kids to care for.
His wife offered, "We could ask Clay and Quinn."
Julian eyes widen at the thought. He was thinking of asking Haley or Nathan. "Clay and Quinn couldn't handle four kids, Babe. They can barely handle Logan" he shakes his head; Riley would defidently take advantage of them.
"They'll need some practice for Quinn's baby" Brooke explained and it's true, Quinn and Clay need all the practice they can get for their baby girl. Hell, the last time they were around babies was during the Christmas dinner and that didn't even count. Once their daughter arrives, they really won't know how to handle a small infant and six year old Logan.
"Aren't they having a girl?" Julian pointed out, uneasily. His two little boys can be handfuls, but Riley too; no, that's too much for any sane person to handle. Maybe, when the kids are older, they can take a little trip to Hawaii or Aruba.
Brooke rolls her eyes. "Riley can help them and after awhile, they'll get the hang of it" she said more or less hoping Riley will be willing to help her surrogate aunt and uncle with her baby brothers.
Julian joked cracking a smile, "Who's gonna help Riley stay out of trouble?"
Brooke sighs; over the past few months after everything that's happened, they need this. "It'll only be a week. Come on, we need this, Julian" his wife pleaded.
"How about after the adoption's finalized, we go?" Julian caresses his wife's cheek. He's worried about leaving Riley and the boys for that long of a time frame.
"Fine" Brooke opens the door to find Mouth and Millie snuggled close watching The Notebook. "Hey, how were they?" she asked in a whisper.
Mouth stands up and smiles. "Riley was amazing, she helped feed the boys dinner and even put them down for us" he praised sounding jealous causing both parents to grin. Usually, they get reports about Riley not listening or being rude; it's nice to hear their daughter can sometimes be respectful.
"Maybe we didn't need babysitters" Brooke mused winking playfully at her friends who smile.
"We realized maybe we should wait to have kids" Mouth added as Millie nods half-agreeably.
Brooke squints at Mille, knowing Mills wants to have a baby. It's all she talks about these days. "Guys, kids can change you" Brooke stated as she gives them each a hug goodbye.
She and Julian quietly tip-toe upstairs, they check on their sons, who are fast asleep. After giving them each a quick kiss, the parents check on their daughter. Riley, who heard, them coming shuts off her flashlight and throws the magazine under her bed.
Riley has her dark curls hair in her eyes, so she can see what her parents are doing. Julian gently ruffles her hair with a soft smile crinkling onto his face. "Night Riley-Roo" the father said pulling the covers up.
Brooke leans over and gently kisses her head. "Goodnight, sweet girl. I love you" she murmured patting her hair, gently.
This story is just about over. Only a few chapters left until I start the 3 years later sequel. The boy names I've decide on so far are; Benjamin, William, Elliot, or Dylan.